When I prayed for my son on phone, I didn’t know he would die next day – Father of NAF airman

Mr Jacob Oyedepo, the father of the late airman, Matthew Oyedepo has revealed that the day before his son died he had prayed for him without having any sign he was going to die the day after.

Matthew died in the ill-fated Beechcraft 350 that crash landed in Kaduna last Friday, killing former Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Ibrahim Attahiru and, nine others.

Oyedepo in a chat with newsmen, said the deceased was his last child and his five other older siblings were unemployed. He further added that the death of his son will not make him stop his other children from joining the Army.

He said, “I spoke to my son on Thursday that preceded the day he died. I prayed for him. I did not see or have any sign that he was going to die. I just prayed for him. His death has left a permanent vacuum. I will never forget him. He was the one taking care of me. His brothers are unemployed. He was also taking care of them.

“I plead with the government to help in providing jobs for the siblings of the deceased that are not employed. Matthew is my last child and I have six children. Even with his death, I will not discourage any of my children who is willing to join military, I will allow them follow their hearts.”